City Council

LODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, March 17, 2020, commencing at 7:07 a.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Assistant City Clerk Farris NOTE: Council Member Mounce participated in the meeting via teleconference. B. Topic(s) B-1 Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Mayoral Selection (CM) City Manager Schwabauer provided a presentation regarding mayoral selection. Specific topics of discussion included the two initiatives previously presented in regard to mayoral selection; first initiative called for rotation of service as Mayor; second initiative called for a two-year elected Mayor, four elected Council Members, and term limits; withdrawal of both initiatives; single- subject rule violation of second initiative; and agreement to bring the matter before Council. Council Member Mounce stated she thought an item should be put on the ballot for the November election for an elected two-year mayoral term as she has heard from many citizens in support of this. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated that he opposes putting the matter on the ballot as it would be costly; he feels it is unnecessary as things work well as they are and it would cost more to have a directly-elected Mayor; and he questioned if a directly-elected Mayor would have more power. He further noted that this issue came up because of the problems with rotation, so the Council should just rotate service as Mayor; if a citizens wants to put the item on the ballot, then let them do it, but he is opposed to the City putting the item on the ballot. Council Member Chandler concurred with Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi. He stated that he is opposed to the issue as it is unnecessary and that the system currently in place has worked; there have been vocal people against the rotation system, however, it does not rise to the level where the general citizens are concerned; the cost would be too great; and he is concerned with the burden it places on the person serving as Mayor. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated that serving as Mayor takes a lot of time and questioned whether the salary would be increased to cover that. He further stated there is no need to increase the salary; if the position is rotated, each member can share the responsibility; if a Council Member does not want to serve, they would not have to; he feels Council should let the public know that they will rotate the position and then follow through. Mayor Kuehne acknowledged that there are pros and cons to both sides, but he stated he is opposed to spending tax payer dollars to put this on the ballot. Council Member Mounce inquired as to other valid suggestions, as the public has asked that the 1 system be fixed, and the rotation needs to not be political. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated that, as Mayor Pro Tempore, he would serve as Mayor next term and then the Council could begin a rotation. City Manager Schwabauer clarified that Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi is suggesting that an ordinance be created that would formalize a rotation system. Council Member Mounce expressed concern that a future Council could change the system, since it was adopted by ordinance, rather than by an initiative by the people. Mike Lusk, member of the public, stated that he opposes having a mayor elected at large; the current City Manager structure works well. He further stated that last year he supported putting a measure on the ballot for a law change to formalize the rotation for mayor; at this time he would support Council in making an ordinance change and not putting it on the ballot due to the cost; the County Board of Supervisors have a rotation system that works well; having a mayor elected at large sets up a political power structure; and having a formalized rotation ensures that each district’s Council member has one year of their agenda, which is fair for the City. Mr. Lusk stated that last year in collecting signatures in support of the initiative, he talked to a great number of people but only two were in favor of a directly-elected mayor, although a majority supported a formalized rotation by district. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated that he would support an ordinance and suggested that he serve as Mayor next term and start the rotation the following term. In response to Council Member Mounce’s concerns, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi suggested starting the rotation with District 4, following the Mayor Pro Tempore’s term. Mayor Kuehne expressed opposition to that suggestion as it shows favoritism. Council Member Chandler expressed opposition to that suggestion as District 5 will elect a brand new Council Member at the November election and that person will need experience before serving as Mayor. Mayor Kuehne stated that he has reservations about a formalized rotation as, evidenced by history, some Council Members are loose cannons who should not serve as Mayor. He further stated things are going well the way they are. City Manager Schwabauer acknowledged he understood Council direction. C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items None. D. Adjournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 a.m. ATTEST: Pamela M. Farris Assistant City Clerk 2